A TALENTED young dancer is looking forward to treading the boards in a new touring production.

Ritzy Keaveny, seven, of Bowburn, has been picked to dance in a show that will be playing at Wakefield, Manchester, and at Sunderland Empire in September.

The show, Celebration of Youth Year 2000, by Showstopper Productions, will feature singing and dancing from shows such as Riverdance and Beauty and the Beast and will be performed by youngsters aged seven to 17.

Ritzy has just taken part in Born to Perform, held in Manchester to raise money for Children In Need, and is starting rehearsals for the new production today.

Her mother Janis said Ritzy, who studies at the Sandra Welsh Dance School at Bishop Auckland, will be the youngest performer.

"She can't wait. She is absolutely adamant she wants to be a star.

"She has been dancing since she was three and been in competitions galore, passed lots of exams and been in a few shows.

"Everyone says she is a very talented little girl and that she has real stage presence. She uses her eyes a lot and smiles to the audience.'